Tense II: The Morpheme -RU/U
The morpheme -RU/U is one of the most fundamental morphemes in the Japanese language. Although it manifests differently depending on the part of speech, its functions remain depending on the semantic and syntactic conditions of the sentence.
In its basic understanding, the -RU/U form is thought of as being the non-past tense marker of Japanese. Although it is not limited to this interpretation, it can account for any usage in which it corresponds to either the present tense or future tense of English.
In this lesson, we will study the various usages of -RU/U form as well as learn how some of these usages overlap with -TA and -TE IRU. Before continuing, if you have not read through the previous lesson on -TA, please go back and read it first.
-RU/U Morphology
In Japanese, the -RU/U form is typically simply referred to as the ル形. It is a linguistic yet colloquial term for the terminal form (終止形) /attributive form (連体形). Because the latter terms are meant only to indicate morphology in relation to word order, we’ll stick to calling this the “-RU/U form” for the purposes of this discussion.
After the root of any conjugatable speech is a morpheme that forms the -RU/U form. For Ichidan verbs (一段動詞), the morpheme is most easily identified because it happens to be –ru which attaches to the stem of these verbs. For Godan Verbs (五段動詞), the morpheme manifests as –u, which attaches to the consonant-ending stems that these verbs have. For adjectives, the morpheme manifests as –i, –shii, or –jii. For the copula, because it is a contraction of である, it is appropriate to treat da as a whole to be the morpheme.
-RU/U: Present, Future, & Past
PRESENT TENSE
In English, the present tense expresses an action that is ongoing or habitually performed, or a state that currently and/or generally exists. -RU/U also expresses all these functions. However, it’s first important to understand how flexible even the concept of “now” can be in both English and Japanese. Take for example the following sentences:
i. My boyfriend just got home now. → 彼氏が今帰ったところだ。
ii. My boyfriend is coming home now. → 彼氏が今帰っているところだ。
iii. My boyfriend will come home now. → 彼氏が今帰る（ところだ）ね。
iv. My boyfriend is home now. → 彼氏がもう帰っている。
We associate “now” with the present, but as these examples demonstrate, it is not fixated solely to the present tense. This is analogous to how the -RU/U form functions. These examples also scratch at the surface of how complex the endings -RU/U, -TA, and -TE IRU can be. For instance, -TE IRU can both denote the present continuous/progressive form like in ii. and the present progressive perfect form like in iv. In iii., the act of “coming home” is perceived to just be starting, which is in contrast to the continued ongoing state implied in ii.
1. The most fundamental usage of the -RU/U form is to show present state. Existential verbs, adjectives, and adjectival nouns are quintessential here. Present states may very well be ongoing. For instance, in Ex. 5, the existence of people who want to quit their jobs is a present state. The act of wanting to quit is an ongoing state that is marked with -TE IRU. This emphasizes duration of a continued ongoing state. When the “continued” aspect of an ongoing action is not implied, however, -RU/U should be used instead.
1. 庭には木が3本ある。
There are three trees in the (court)yard.
2. 北海道を生息地にする亀もいる。
There are also turtles who have Hokkaido as their habitat.
3. 彩ちゃんの服、めっちゃかわいい。
Aya-chan’s clothes, they’re so cute.
4. これが最高（だ）！
This is the best!
Grammar Note: Even when the copula is omitted, the -RU/U morpheme is still present grammatically.
5. 仕事を辞めたがっている人がたくさんいる。
There are lots of people who want to quit their jobs.
6. 何でもケチをつけたがる人が抱く心理とは何か。
What is the mentality that people harbor who want to find fault in everything?
7. 猛烈な風が吹いたと見られ｛ます・ています｝。
It is believed that there was fierce wind.
2. In the same vein as Usage 1, the -RU/U form may also denote a present psychological state. This is frequently employed with verbal/adjectival expressions of emotion.
8. 本当にむかつくわ。
It really ticks me off.
9. 腹が立つ。
This makes me mad.
10. 鳥肌が立つ。
This gives me goosebumps.
11. 気持ち悪い。
This is disgusting/unpleasant.
12. 怖い。
I’m scared.
3. Some verbs are used in utterances whose implications are instantaneous with said utterance. These instances create what is known as the “utterance present (発言現在).
13. 誓います。
I vow.
14. ご冥福をお祈りします。
I pray for his/her/their soul(s).
15. 二人の幸せを願います。
I wish for the two’s happiness.
16. 約束する！
I promise!
4. Sometimes, as if we’re narrating to ourselves, or perhaps when we are narrating, the -RU/U form is used similarly to that of an infinitive to describe what is happening/is to happen in front of the speaker’s/one’s eyes. Of course, if the action can’t literally be seen with the eyes, this discrepancy doesn’t stop this usage from being valid.
Grammar Note: An infinitive is the basic form of verb which has no inflection binding it to a particular subject and/or tense, and this too is a function of the -RU/U form.
17. 雨が降る。
Rain falls (in front of my eyes).
18. 韓国料理を食べ尽くす。
Consuming Korean cuisine.
19. 刃が刺さる。
The blade pierces.
20. 息が止まる。
My breath stops.
5. Habitual repetition is another facet of a person’s current state. -TE IRU can similarly be used to denote what one “always does,” but it must be used with adverbs of frequency to establish this meaning. This is so that it can show present habitual action rather than an ongoing action. Even so, it doesn’t denote an inherent habitualness. The -RU/U form need not have such adverbs for this meaning to be had. However, it conversely becomes far more open ended in interpretation without words like “always” or “every day.” It could be interpreted as future intent without context guiding the listener to think habitual action.
Whenever the speaker feels a need to emphasize his current habit, especially when criticized for not doing something, the use of -TE IRU becomes imperative. Habitual statements with -RU/U are most suitable in neutral situations where there is no need to emphasize one’s current habit(s).
Grammar Note: This usage may also be used in the second and third person in question form.
21. いつも零時に寝ます。
I always go to sleep at midnight.
22. 私は食後に歯を磨きます。
I brush my teeth after eating.
I will brush my teeth after eating (from now on).
23. 毎朝シャワーを浴びます。
I take a shower every morning.
24. 毎週教会に行きますか。
Do you go to church every week?
25a. 私は毎日公園を散歩します。
25b. 私は毎日公園を散歩しています。
I walk the park every day. (25a)
I’m walking the park every day. (25b)
26. 君がいると、いつも笑えてる。
I’m always able to laugh when you’re here (with me).
27. 人に話している途中で、何をしたかったのか忘れてしまうことはありませんか。
While talking to someone, do you ever forget what you wanted to talk about?
6. Yet another nuance that falls under the umbrella of current state is denoting a characteristic and/or general truth. However, a general truth need not literally be a current state. It could be a situation that regularly occurs under certain conditions.
28. カモメは主に水辺に棲みます。
Seagulls mainly live at waterfronts.
29. 中国語って難しい。
Chinese is difficult.
30. 君はよく喋るね。
You sure talk a lot.
31. 毛虫が蝶に変わります。
Caterpillars become butterflies.
32. 一般人は人を殺すと逮捕されます。
When ordinary person murders someone, he gets arrested.
33. 日本は地震が多いところだ。
Japan is a place where there are many earthquakes.
34. 地震はプレートが元に戻ろうとする時に起こります。
Earthquakes occur when plates try to return to their original positions.
FUTURE TENSE
7. The future tense in English denotes an action/state that has not yet happened. Even when it is used by itself with no other modal changes, -RU/U can indicate something that you are rather certain will occur in the future.
35. もうすぐ消灯時間だ。
It’s almost lights-out.
36. 電気が消えるね。
The lights will go off, ok?
37. 明日は休日だ。
Tomorrow is a holiday.
38. 帰る途中で銀行に寄ってください。
Please stop by the bank while you’re coming home.
39. きっと合格するよ。
You’ll definitely pass.
8. -RU/U may show first-person intention and/or plan when used in the future tense. It must, though, be paired with a verb of volition (意志動詞). -RU/U may also simply provide information about what will happen in the future depending on the situation. In English, the -ing form or “going to…” pattern are frequently used for this.
Grammar Note: This usage may also be used in second person and third person in the form of a question. It may also be used in the affirmative in third person, but the -RU/U form must be paired with a modal change that incorporates a less direct tone. Lastly, when this usage is used in the affirmative in second person, it creates a command (See Usage 11).
40. 明日テキサスに発ちます。
I head out to Texas tomorrow.
41. 今夜は晩御飯を外食にする。
Tonight, I’m going to eat out for dinner.
42. 会社を辞めます。
I’m quitting/going to quit my job (at the company).
43. 私用で休暇を取ります。
I’m [taking/going to take] time off.
44. 私は明日から1週間京都へ行きます。
As of tomorrow, I will be going to Kyoto for a week.
45. はい、私が行きます。
Yes, I am the one going.
46. はい、消費税は来月から2%ほど引き上げられることになります。
Yes, as of next month, the consumers tax will be risen approximately two percent.
47. 何人来ますか。
How many people are coming?
48. この車がいくらなら買いますか。
How much would you buy this car for?
49. 台風３号は、九州の南部に接近していて、間もなく上陸する見込みです。
Typhoon No. 3 is approached the southern portion of Kyushu, and it is forecast to make landfall any moment.
9．With a rising intonation, -RU/U indicates surprise about a future event. In second person, it can show disbelief, rebuke, or scoffing toward a statement the speaker deems improbable. However, it is not limited to these sorts of negative nuances in second person. You can express surprise about a future event in first and second person.
Grammar Note: -RU/U may also indicate surprise about a present state. Unlike the -TA form, it doesn’t imply that the speaker should have known, and it doesn’t indicate the reality at hand as having been recognized in the past.
47. え、私が行く？
What, I’m going?
48. え、山田君がやる？冗談でしょう？
What, you’re going to do it, Yamada-kun? You’re joking, right?
49. あ、やってくれる？ありがとう！
Oh, you’re going to do it? Thank you!
50. 戦争が終わる？それは恐らく有り得ないだろう。
The war’s going to end? That’s probably impossible.
51. 今年中に首都直下地震が起きます？
There’s going to be an earthquake directly hitting the Tokyo area within this year?
52. あ、そうだ！今日午後3時半に会議がある。
Ah, that’s right! There’s a meeting at 3:30 PM today.
53. あ、あの人は鈴木さんだ。
Ah, that person is Mr. Suzuki.
INSTRUCTION
10. The -RU/U form may also be used to show step-by-step instructions. This is frequently used in recipes. The instructions are not necessarily directed at one particular person; however, commands can be made by using the -RU/U form (Usage 11).
54. 油をフライパンに入れて、175度くらいになるまでに火を付ける。
Add cooking oil to the frying pan and heat until it is about 175 degrees.
55. 鍋に湯を沸かし、豆腐を崩し入れて、笊にあげて水を切る。
Boil water in the pot, break up the tofu, and drain in a strainer.
56. 調味料と玉ネギを加えて炒め、溶き卵を加えて軽く混ぜ、火を止める。
Sauté upon adding spices and onion, add a beaten egg and lightly mix, and then turn off the heat.
57. 牛肉は食べやすい大きさに切り、片栗粉をまぶす。
As for the beef, cut it into easy to eat sizes and then smear the beef with potato starch.
58. スキレットにごま油を薄くひいて火にかけ、ご飯を広げて載せる。
Lightly cover the skillet with sesame oil, add heat, and spread the rice on top.
COMMAND
11. When -RU/U is used to make a command, it does not have the same time constraint that -TA has. Although it implies that the listener better get to it–which is why it is often used by teachers, parents, or people with a clear higher status over someone else—it is not the case that it has to happen immediately for it to be grammatical.
59. さっさと片付ける。
Get to cleaning up.
60. 10秒後に走る。
Run in ten seconds.
This sentence would likely be said by a coach and/or someone who would be instructing you to do something. This sentence demonstrates how the “instruction” meaning of -RU/U derives from its sense of command. The pragmatic difference is that the “instructions” given in the -RU/U form are very frequently in polite speech. Even so, an instructor/knowledgeable person instructing is intrinsically higher in position than the listener learning from said individual.
61. すぐに食べる！
Eat it now!
Sentence Note: Ex. 61 would most likely be said by a semi-strict parent.
62. 我々は出発する。
We’re departing.
Sentence Note: The use of first person plural allows for a rather subtle yet explicit means of getting others to act alongside oneself. The person saying this would be the leader of the group.
63. 君は明日から大阪へ出張｛する・だ｝。
You will be going to Osaka on business starting tomorrow.
64. このお客さんは君が接待｛する・だ｝。
You’ll be entertaining this patron.
65. 今だ！
Now!
Sentence Note: Ex. 65 can be used without imposing a sense of social hierarchy. However, the person stating it would still be taking the initiative to get others to act.
65. 書くんだ！
Write!
Grammar Note: Though not exactly the same, it is important to note that the -RU/U form is used with のだ・んだ instead of the -TA form. This is due to the time restriction placed on -TA form imperatives.
PAST TENSE
12. -RU/U need not always refer to non-past time. There are instances where it does refer to a past event. If -TA were used, it would indicate that the speaker perceives the situation to be remote, but if -RU/U were used, it would mean that the past situation is perceived as if it were directly before the speaker. -TA suggests a detached, objective attitude on the part of the speaker toward the situation, but -RU/U suggests the speaker’s subjective and psychological involvement with the situation.
When both -RU/U and -TA are present together, the -RU/U event/state must either be clearly completed/established before the -TA event/state. For instance, in Ex. 67, Mr. Hirota had good-looking teeth before ever showing them when he smiled. Ex. 67 also demonstrates how this facet of the -RU/U form also affects choosing between -TE IRU and -TE ITA. The latter would show definitive completion of a once ongoing event, which is not logical to posit in Ex. 67.
66. ひどいことを言うね。
What a horrible thing to say.
67. 山田さんは歯を出して笑った。割と綺麗な歯を持っている。
Mr. Hirota smiled showing his teeth. He had rather good-looking teeth.
68. 女房がどうしても結婚してほしいって泣いて頼むから、仕方なく結婚してやったんだよ。
My wife had cried and begged that I marry her, and so I reluctantly did.
69. 卵がないと文句を言うから、もう一回買いに行ったの。
You complained about there being no eggs, so I went out again to go buy some.
70. 血も涙もないことを言うから、バチが当たったんだ。
You got what you deserved for saying something so heartless.